john@anasazi.UUCP (John Moore) (07/19/85)
There are many scanners in the world with all sorts of neat features. Unfortunately, they never seem to do quite what you want. For example, when searching a frequency range for new signals, there is no way to skip specific frequencies which you don't want to hear. I am looking for information on scanners which can be interfaced to a computer so that the computer can exercise real-time control over the parameters of the radio - especially frequency. I know of two scanners with computer control (one made by Bearcat, and the other a clone of the Regency MX-5000 made by AOR). Unfortunately, it is pretty difficult to get information on either one. The last time I talked to Bearcat (a while ago), they were unwilling to part with the interface specs. Rather, they wanted one to buy a software package for the computer of interest and just run it. I was unable to determine for sure if the frequency skipping option is possible, but it looks like it may not be. The computer may just be capable of loading the frequency registers and reading usage counts, etc. If anyone knows more about this, I would like to hear from them. The AOR scanner is even more mysterious. It appears to be a Regency MX-5000 except with a Japanese name. There is an RS232 adapter for it for around $130. However, finding out what you can do with that is an interesting problem. My brother, who lives in Tokyo, is trying to find out but he is not likely to succeed. Again, help!! Does anyone know of any other computer controlled scanners? Regency? JIL? etc... John Moore
parnass@ihu1h.UUCP (Bob Parnass, AJ9S) (07/24/85)
> ......... > Does anyone know of any other computer controlled scanners? Regency? JIL? > etc... > > John Moore Here's a reposting of a past article on a computer controlled scanner product. A friend has one, and I saw a demo by the inventor at our scanner club meeting. After seeing the demo, I suggested a few new features, such as a producing a histogram in the search mode, which are now incorporated into the latest version. ----------------- Comquest SXP-210 Scanner Expansion Package There was a demonstration at the Wheaton Hamfest of a new $110 software package that allows a Commodore 64 personal computer to control a Bearcat 210XL scanner. The SXP-210 comes with software on a 5.25" floppy diskette and a special interface cable, which connects the 64 to a ribbon cable within the 210XL. Uniden's hasty withdrawl of the Bearcat CompuScan 2100 leaves the SXP-210 as the only product that will allow a personal computer to control a VHF/UHF scanner. Some of the more interesting features listed in the sales litera- ture: - Expands [stock] 18 channels to 50. - Removes the software constraints [of the stock 210XL] that prevented operation on the 6m and 10m amateur bands. - Color graphics that identify type of radio service being moni- tored. (Police, Fire, Amateur, etc.) - With a printer you can generate a chronological log of selected channels as they become active along with the time of day that the transmissions were received. - Includes 12 hour time of day clock w/AM and PM designations. - Adds a "count" feature to the 210XL, similar to the one on more expensive scanners. - Edit mode allows flexible control of all channel info. - Includes an improved search mode with a "Hold" [?] trigger feature. - Channel lockout/selective scan delay. - Includes a special list function that displays freq info for all 50 channels simultaneously on one screen. Installation appears simple. A pliers is used to crimp a supplied socket onto an existing ribbon cable within the 210XL. An umbili- cal cable plugs into this socket and into the computer. One drawback of the this 64/BC210XL setup is the scan rate rate of only 8 channels/sec, about half the scan rate of a normal 210XL. For more info, contact: Comquest Company 5719 Gateway Drive Indianapolis, IN 46254 -- =============================================================================== Bob Parnass, Bell Telephone Laboratories - ihnp4!ihu1h!parnass - (312)979-5414
john@anasazi.UUCP (John Moore) (08/01/85)
The Conquest SPX-210 looks interesting and is an approach that might be kludged for other scanners. I have read a description of the JIL SX-400 as "computer controllable", and indeed they sell an interface for an NEC PC. I called them up and asked for interface specs for the scanner itself so that I could control it with a different PC. The response was: "Do you work for the government? If not, we can't give you the specifications. We have no maintenance manual - the product is proprietary". Sigh... John NJ7E